Thursday, July 26, 2012

Monthly Focus: Small Group Instruction

This year I’ve decided to pick a few topics to blog about on a monthly basis. I hope to post ideas and insights and show you how it works in my classroom. My first focus topic is small group instruction. This month I’m sharing one of the things I’ve used for the past couple of years in my word work small groups.
I mentioned before that I normally have four types of small groups: 1. Word Work 2.Comprehension 3. Guided Reading/Reading Strategy 4. Fluency. I pull students according to the types of observations I make during my one on one conference time with them or when I take a running record and see the types of errors they are making as they read. Looking closely at errors allows me to determine which strategies I need to help them develop during small group or individual conference time.
Today I’m sharing what I use in my word work groups. I have tons of Roll and Read games that I’ve made over the years and my students love to use these during Reading Workshop.
I decided to make them small so I could get two on a page. I always have a set of them at my small group table to use as a warm up game while I’m getting materials ready, or if I’m walking around the room helping to get my stragglers where they are supposed to be. We all have those right??
Sometimes I might color code them I try to make each board unique in terms of the words.
The student uses a foam die (so quiet..love those things!) and they roll and read the corresponding word that matches what they rolled. It’s a great review and sometimes I give them the attached tally sheet so they can make a tally for each one they rolled. You can laminate them or not. Sometimes I’ll send them home so students can play with a family member. It’s great extra practice.
Here is my short vowel edition.
I’ve spruced them up for you. Click on the picture below to help yourself to a copy. I’d love to hear from you…I’ve even taken the spam filter off…so it’s easy peasy!! I keep getting spam about Viagra…is that the new trending topic for spammers???
I hope you can use these in your classroom.

Yolanda,Thanks so much for sharing these. Anything kids can use dice with seems to be a hit! Are you familiar with "Roll, Say, and Keep?" Similar to your activity but with a twist. You can google it if you need more info. Thanks again!

I would love to use these this year! I'm always looking for new (fun!) ways to have the kids practice their words. I was wondering if you could post a template without the words (just the table and the dice) so that the kids could choose six spelling words to write in the blanks, then they could roll and read the words that they choose. Then they could remake their board each week with their new spelling words. Please post! Thanks :)

Thank you so much! These are fabulous! Can't wait to use these during D5 this year! I hope you make long vowel ones too! You should make some for digraphs, blends, compounds, contractions, dolch, fry, etc! This would be a great thing to sell! Mel DSeusstastic Classroom Inspirations

I LOVE THIS!!! Thank you so much for generously sharing these:) I've been following you for months now, but I think this is my first comment. I adore your blog and have gotten so many great resources from you. It is so appreciated. I hope you know how great you are:)Shining and Sparkling in First Grade

I absolutely LOVE these! I had the idea to do something similar in my first grade class this year but was dreading making everything from scratch! Imagine my excitement when I came across your post!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I am a first year teacher and new to the blogging community. Follow me to share in my first, first grade adventure!! http://firstgradesensei.blogspot.com/

These are great. My children love using them. I also have used foam dice, but then found dice spinners (eta/cuisenaire) which also work great because there is no chasing the dice when it rolls off the desk. Thanks!